Back in October we reported on pro surfer Ricky Whitlock and his remarkable comeback tale after a bad wipeout at the world’s most lethal wave nearly claimed his life and left him with a broken back. Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the accident.

Ricky has since made a full recovery, which filmmaker Tim Ryan showcased in his inspiring short film “L-1, T-12″ which is a reference to Ricky’s damaged vertebrae. Here is a photo of the reborn Whitlock, facing Pipeline earlier this winter–the very wave that tried to kill him 365 days ago.

Photo by Nelly/SPL